FGC Players Shine at The Esports Awards as Tekken 8 Release Hype Grows
A recap of the exceptional year for fighting games in 2023, featuring EVO’s Best Esports Event nomination and high anticipation for Tekken 8’s upcoming release.
The year 2023 has been exceptional for fighting games and their community, marked by the release of notable titles such as Street Fighter 6 and Mortal Kombat 1. Anticipation is high for the upcoming launch of Tekken 8.
EVO received a nomination for the best esports event at The Game Awards, showcasing the growing recognition of the fighting game community (FGC). Additionally, several FGC players were nominated for Esports Controller Player of the Year at The Esports Awards.
The competitive landscape has seen the establishment of circuits with substantial prize pools, attracting increased attention from those seeking competitive gaming experiences outside of traditional esports. While these achievements paint a positive picture, not everything is flawless. A concern voiced by the community revolves around the relatively low payouts in the MK1 Pro Competition, the competitive circuit for Mortal Kombat 1.
Developer NetherRealm Studios has revealed that the MK1 Pro Competition will feature a total prize pool of $255,000 (~£196,000), encompassing both the final tournament and qualifiers. The individual prize pools for qualifiers stand at $10,000 each, with varying payouts for winners and lower-placed participants. However, concerns have been raised within the community as even winners may not receive substantial amounts, with fifth-place finishers, for instance, receiving only $350.
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The current prize structure raises practical issues for players, as the winnings may not cover their expenses for participating in the tournament. Consequently, individuals are contemplating involvement in events that are geographically closer to mitigate financial challenges. In a social media discussion, Dominique ‘SonicFox’ McLean, a prominent figure in the Fighting Game Community (FGC), expressed surprise that NetherRealm Studios (NRS) or Warner Bros. (WB) hasn’t revisited the crowdfunding skins model used in MKX. SonicFox suggested that returning to this formula could potentially elevate MK1 Pro Kompetition to having the highest-paid fighting game prize pool today.
However, the opinion presented questions whether this crowdfunding formula, successful in 2016, is still viable today. The piece explores the evolving landscape of esports and in-game item crowdfunding, suggesting a potential misunderstanding about its effectiveness in the present gaming climate.
Times have changed significantly over the past seven years. Esports, once hailed as the next big thing, witnessed multi-million dollar investments in clubs and tournament organizers. Major leagues like the Overwatch League and LCS shifted to a franchise model, generating immense excitement about the future.
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Valve’s Dota 2 Battle Pass played a crucial role in propelling esports forward. This innovative concept showcased that hardcore gamers were willing to invest substantial amounts. The prize pool for The International 2014, comprising $1.6 million from Valve and 25% of Battle Pass sales, surpassed $10 million. By 2016, this figure doubled, with the Dota 2 community spending over $37 million and $76 million, respectively.
However, a shift in fan behaviour became apparent in the following years, indicating a reluctance to spend on esports directly. Contrary to earlier beliefs in the mid-2010s, gamers were not pouring all their money into supporting their favourite esports scenes.
Valve’s actions illustrated this change; in 2023, The International Compendium focused entirely on esports, lacking the valuable in-game items seen in previous passes, such as Personas, Immortals, or Arcanas. The prize pool for The International 2023 amounted to only $3.3 million, a significant drop from the record-breaking $40 million in 2021. It became evident that the success of previous years was largely attributed to appealing in-game items. While spending on esports in Dota remained significant, it was relatively smaller in comparison.
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Two distinct monetization models emerged for popular esports titles. Some developers, like Riot Games with League of Legends and VALORANT, or Capcom with Street Fighter 6, actively invested money into their esports scenes. This approach aligns with the understanding that a robust competitive ecosystem attracts and retains players, justifying the financial support from game developers and publishers. Notably, winners of prestigious events like the Capcom Cup X in Street Fighter 6 have the potential to earn substantial rewards, showcasing their commitment to fostering competitive gaming.
